Way out West 2025. 29th of July.  Day twelve.

Desert camp off past the camel yards on Blockstone Warburton Rd. to Jet A-1 fuel camp on Connie Sue Rd.

Up and away by 8:45. A relaxed start as we have no place we have to be today.

Last night we topped up my tank with one 20 litre jerrycan and that should get me to Warburton to fill up.
A bit breezy around the fire last night so we implemented a wind break designed by Phil which helped somewhat.
No dishes done last night so an extra big batch this morning which is a nice communal thing to do. Packing up the toilet is a communal job as well. Such a good group to camp with.
Today we woke to a clear sky morning after about six drops of rain last night.

We cruised past the Communities of Blackstone and the Blackstone Mountains which were quite imposing beside the road. As Steve observed over the radio, you could see why the road/community got its name. The rocks are very dark.

Our first flat tyre for the trip. Mary and Phil on the car.

Another stop to top up my fuel as I’d been running on empty for a while – better to be safe than sorry. Phil made me feel better by putting some in too.

We kept going towards Warburton, our next fuel stop about 780kms from our last bowser at Kintore.

The roadsides are littered with car wrecks. They either breakdown or crash and are left where they fall. Usually burnt out and fantastically rusted. Mary and Phil have been hunting for a bonnet prop, a few of us have these which have been cleaned up with a handle added to use as a fire stick. They have stopped to check between 25 and 30 wrecks before success on number 3 this morning – a Hi-lux. There were many driven past without stopping as that model vehicle didn’t have a bonnet prop. The challenge and fun is in the hunting. Now they will need to straighten it and clean it up and add a handle- we did pick up some suitable wood near Betoota several trips ago. I made my fire stick handle from some.

I managed to download the Hottest 100 Australian Songs as we passed through 4G service at Blackstone this morning, so this is providing the soundtrack for today’s drive. (along with the refuel ‘ding’ that keeps popping up.)

Warburton was our most expensive fuel to date at $3:15 litre. Now that’s what you call bill shock.!

Out of town and turned left onto the Connie Sue Road, headed south towards Cocklebiddy.

Stopped for lunch and now back onto the tracks of Len Beadell and The Gunbarrelll Construction crew.

We rattled and rolled along over nasty corrugations for an hour or so and finally found a clear place to pull off to make camp. There are a number of 44 gallon drums lying on the ground – very new.
One of them is full. My theory is that this is a fuel stop for helicopters perhaps out shooting camels.

We pulled up in our spots and gathered wood, dug toilet and set it up, set up Tvan etc.
Phil and Stef repaired the hole in the tyre only to find on pumping it up to pressure that the walls are bulging and no good.

I did a look under my car (given the shaking it’s had) found a missing screw in side step – so fixed that with some patient guidance from Stef.

Phil set up their shower which was delightful before tea. A great set up they now have.
Leftover Balti chicken and rice for tea followed by warm pie apple and Stef’s “Rice cream” (creamed rice) which was a delicious dessert.

The moon was up for longer tonight and reduced the starlight. Still satellites and shooting stars were spotted.

We all retired earlier tonight. I think we are all a bit weary of the corrugations.
Into cosy beds with hot water bottles.